VANCOUVER, BC – Nearly 50 members of the media descended upon BC Place last Friday for the first annual Vancouver Whitecaps FC Media Invitational.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2013 WHITECAPS FC MEDIA INVITATIONAL
It was an afternoon of smiles, laughter, and friendly competition for all those involved, including some members of the Whitecaps FC technical staff and front office.
Team Solkowski, captained by CTV sportscaster/sports director Perry Solkowski, were crowned champions after winning each of their three matches.
They defeated Team Devos, captained by TSN commentator and former Canadian national team defender Jason Devos, by a score of 7-3 in the tournament finale.
Participants were split into four teams after a Twitter draft took place earlier in the week. Former Canadian national team players Paul Dolan and Carlo Corazzin captained the two other teams.
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<b>Martin Rennie finds the back of the net from the top of the box</b> |
Whitecaps FC coaches Martin Rennie and Paul Ritchie also took part in the tournament – as did head athletic trainer Jake Joachim. Fortunately, Joachim’s medical services were not needed.
The match itself was only part of the allure. As participants walked into the visitors’ dressing room at BC Place, they found a full Whitecaps FC kit awaiting them at their personalized stalls.
Prior to the match, Rennie and Whitecaps FC president Bobby Lenarduzzi addressed the group in the dressing room. The ‘Caps manager felt it was necessary to take the players through some of the basics of the sport before they took to the pitch.
“As my mom has been telling me all year, some of you guys have never played soccer before,” Rennie quipped as the group erupted into laughter.
He also advised the participants to avoid playing centre back – a reference to Whitecaps FC’s injury-riddled season at the position.
Overall, it was a fun-filled event and one that is sure to become a fixture for years to come.
